West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[Columbuseer]

The style of WLU often evokes strange happenings on the basketball court. Not quite X-Files or Twilight Zone stuff, but unusual nevertheless.

Hope you can share your stories.

Here is unusual event #5. The title reuses a line from boxing as well as a line from an oldie by Gary Lewis and the Playboys "Count Me In".
(An aside: By the way, all their songs were recorded by those incredible LA studio musicians known as "The Wrecking Crew", who also recorded the hits of Beach Boys, Simon and Garfunkel, Mamas and Papas, Carpenters, Monkees, Neil Diamond, etc. At least 40 #1s. "The Wrecking Crew" movie was made about them. They and the Funk Brothers of Motown [movie "Standing in the Shadows of Motown"] are the unsung heroes of popular music, but never got any credit on albums)

5. "Count me out": Various WLU games

IMHO, one of the hardest plays to achieve in basketball is the 10-second call, where the opponent cannot get the ball across mid court line in 10 seconds. Players are fast, with good ball skills and can cover that space in very little time, and in even less time if they pass the ball.

It just does not occur much in most college games... Except at WLU

I am amazed how many times WLU has accomplished this feat during last season. Sometimes more than once in a single game!

In addition, although it occurs more frequently than a 10-second call, the 5-second call is where the opponent cannot get the ball inbounds within 5 seconds. WLU generates even more of these 5 second calls, or forces a time out by the opponent to avoid the turnover! Sometimes, the inbounds pass is a desperate heave that goes out of bounds in order to avoid the 5 second call!

For example:

• WLU played Notre Dame College on 1/7/21. They forced 18 NDC turnovers.
• Of these 7, or 39%, occurred in the backcourt due to pressure.
• WLU forced 2 ten second calls
• WLU forced 3 turnovers due to bad inbounds passes.

Another example:

• WLU played at AB on 1/10/2021. They forced 23 AB turnovers.
• Of these 13, or 57%, occurred in the backcourt due to pressure.
• Of these 8, or 35% of the total turnovers, occurred on the initial inbounds pass, which included one 5-second call.

I would really like the box score to show 10 second, 5 second call stats, as well as turnovers off the in bounds pass. Probably only relevant for pressing teams, though.

To have a chance to be successful, a team must limit backcourt turnovers against WLU.

However, that is a necessary, but not a sufficient condition for a victory against WLU.

WLU is now playing much better half court defense, as demonstrated in the regional games against Charleston and Hillsdale.

[Columbuseer]

The style of wlu often evokes strange happenings on the basketball court. Not quite X-Files or Twilight Zone stuff, but unusual nevertheless.

Hope you can share your stories.

Here is unusual event #4. Since it evoked memories of a song by the Guess Who, it is titled:

4. "No time left for you": Glenville at WLU 2/1/21

• After 3 straight losses, wlu hosted an undefeated Glenville team that was fresh from victories over Charleston and wv state.
• Glenville has had success implementing the wlu style, so a high scoring game was expected.
• The wlu pressure forced Glenville to take time outs, either to avoid 5 second inbounds call or to regroup. They called two timeouts in the first half only 6 seconds apart!
• Glenville used all but 1 timeout in the 1st half.
• At the 8:43 mark of the second half, wlu was leading 92-66 after a Bolon three. WLU trapped a Glenville player deep in the backcourt. To avoid the 10 second call, the player called timeout.
• Unfortunately, glenville had no timeouts. The officials assessed a technical foul and granted them the timeout, per rule. Dalton Bolon made both shots so the score was now 94-66.
• I had not seen this since the Michigan Fab 5 did it in the national title game.

It illustrates the cumulative effect of wlu pressure in accelerating mental fatigue in opponents.

[Columbuseer]

The style of wlu often evokes strange happenings on the basketball court. Not quite X-Files or Twilight Zone stuff, but unusual nevertheless.

Hope you can share your stories.

Here is unusual event #3. Since it evoked images of Clint Eastwood's spaghetti westerns, it is titled:

3. "The man with no name": Frostburg at WLU 1/7/20

• WLU leads Frostburg 26-9 with 11:09 remaining in the first half.
• Hazelbaker dives on the floor for a loose ball.
• #22 for Frostburg dives onto him, like a linebacker going after an onside kick.
• It was a hard, dangerous foul, which the officials rightly call against #22.
• Before WLU can inbound the ball, the scorekeepers get the attention of the official.
• After a brief discussion, they are joined by the Frostburg coach, who carefully peruses the scorebook.
• #22 IS NOT IN THE SCOREBOOK!
• Officials assess a one-shot technical foul against Frostburg.
• Fortunately for Frostburg, it did not cost them a victory, as WLU wins 125-77.

[Columbuseer]

The style of wlu often evokes strange happenings on the basketball court. Not exactly X-Files stuff, but unusual nevertheless.

Hope you can share your stories.

Here is unusual event #2

2. "Fourplay": WV Wesleyan (WVW) at WLU 2/7/21

[Columbuseer]

The style of wlu often evokes strange happenings on the basketball court. Not exactly X-Files stuff, but unusual nevertheless.

Hope you can share your stories.

To start, here is one unusual event.
1. Missing in action: It is halftime in Frostburg on 2/19/20. WLU leads 59-43.

• WLU returns to the court to warm up.
• No Frostburg.
• Warmups complete
• No Frostburg
• Buzzer sounds to start play.WLU is standing with refs at center court, making small talk.
• No Frostburg
• They wait 3 or 4 minutes.
• Finally, players coming running out helter shelter, some still adjusting their uniforms. But no coaches. Announcers were flabbergasted.
• Finally, coaches come out with some stragglers and attempt to call time out before start of play!
• Refs call admin technical on team for delay of game, making score 60-43 before the second half even begins!
• With no warmup, things did not go well for Frostburg. Whatever the coach told them during his extended halftime speech, it just did not take. WLU won 117-74, despite taking off the press.

[Columbuseer]

FYI
west liberty has longest active streak of consecutive d2 basketball tourney appearances at 12 years!

[boatcapt]

Great start to the 2022 recruiting campaign. L Denbow is an electric scoring, high motor guy who fits the mold of the "classic" WLU player. He has all the tools necessary to be highly productive on the Hilltop...Exactly how productive will depend on his work ethic and ability to fit in to the rotation.

[Columbuseer]

FYI More info on Luke Denbow

This season, Denbow averaged 22.9 points per game to go along with 6.5 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 3.1 steals while leading the Ashland Arrows to an 18-5 record.

• Ohio Cardinal Conference Player of the Year.
• District 6 Player of year
• 1st team all Northwest Ohio
• 2nd team all ohio Division 1

Here is video interview with Luke Denbow from Feb 2021

https://youtu.be/F__EhHI1FtY

• Microwave scorer that can get hot in a hurry
• Big time shotmaker with range
• Confident and tough nosed guard
• Transition playmaker

[unc4life]

West Liberty got a good one yesterday. 21'-22 senior Luke Denbow, brother of Garrett committed to the Hilltoppers last night. Kid's a star. Will be a 4 year varsity starter, should leave Ashland as the all time leading scorer. Quick, explosive guard on both ends of the floor. Big get for WL.

[Columbuseer]

Players on WLU 2021-22 roster who played as true freshmen far exceeds the number of players who did not play:

Malik Mckinney, Seton Hill, started 24 games, averaged 28 minutes per game and 11.2 PPG
Brycer Butler, WLU, played in all 31 games, averaged 21 MPG and 8.5 PPG
Elija Watson, WLU, played in all 23 games with 18 starts, averaged 11.3 MPG and 3.7 PPG
Garrett Denbow, Univ of Charleston, played in 12 games, averaged 11 MPG and 4.5 PPG
Marlon Moore, WLU, played in 23 games, averaged 8.3 MPG and 4.1 PPG
Patrick Robinson, Holy Family, started all 27 games, averaged 37.7 MPG and 18.7 PPG
Ben Sarson, WLU, played in 13 games, averaged 8.5 MPG and 4.0 PPG
Zach Rasile, WLU, played in all 23 games including 1 start, averaged 15 MPG and 6.8 PPG

Excluding this years freshman class, 8 of the 12 players on WLU's roster played as true freshmen with 5 of those 8 playing at WLU.

Not saying all or any of the 3 incoming freshmen will or won't play this coming season, but WLU does not shy away from true freshmen playing...if they are physically and mentally ready to play. Over the years, WLU has had a number of True Freshmen that played and wen't on to have remarkable careers...Among them:

Segar Bonifant (ultimate DII POY and All-American)
Dave Dennis (DII Freshman of the Year and ultimate All-American)
Beau Justice (ultimate All-American)
Brady Arnold
Clay Guillozet
CJ Hester

Wow you bring back memories of so many great players!

I think what your post clearly points out is that most coaches will always play folks that are clearly in the top group of players, regardless of their class, if the player can help them win.

Whether a true freshman can help them win depends on:
1) their skill and how quickly they can adapt to the college game in general, and the wlu style in particular
2) the skill and proven experience of the older players already on the roster.
3) Do they fill a gap or niche that helps the team win?

I think David Dennis Jr. was Division IV Player of the Year in high school and may have started as a freshman. He was so advanced as a point guard.
Beau Justice was a finalist for Ohio Mr. Basketball and averaged 33 points a game. He was a team player, but could take over a game in high school. As a freshman, he was often guarding the opponent's top guard. What a hard worker. He may have become the all-time leading scorer in Valdosta State history (not 100% sure).
Just to name a few.


Like you, I am not saying who will or won't redshirt.
I was looking at the advantages of a redshirt year from the player's perspective, trying to point out that it is not doom and gloom for them if they cannot earn significant playing time. IMHO, the challenge for freshman on this year's team is found in the current players that are on the list that you mentioned. So many were good enough to play as true freshman and now have the advantage of college experience.

This year's lineup is a hard lineup for anyone to crack as a freshman.

However, it can be hard for players with high accolades to be patient, when they may have had serious interest from D1 schools or other high performing D2 schools. They just need to think long-term and trust the process.

[boatcapt]

The Case for Redshirting Talented Basketball Players

Coaches may choose to redshirt freshmen basketball players who are very talented from a basketball skills perspective. At WLU, Dalton Bolon (All-American), Will Yoakum (Freshman All American and All conference), Luke Dyer, and Marlon Moore, Jr. all redshirted their freshman year. Even Trevor Hudgins of NWMSU redshirted his freshman year and he is a 2-time national player of the year. However, that was in the age of the one-year waiting period for transfers.



The success of redshirting depends on whether the athlete has a long-term or short-term perspective for their goals.
Most athletes were superstars at the high school level and were constantly told they were going to set the world on fire at the college level. It is a big adjustment to sit in the street clothes for a year and watch the games, especially when they are very talented and could start at many other schools.

However, if the athlete takes a long-term view, with a goal to maximizing their chances to be able to play after college, redshirting can be very beneficial.

1. If the school plays a style that aligns well with their likely future professional league aspirations, it is in their best interest to remain and accept the redshirt. For example, European leagues prefer players who are complete players and play a team game. WLU plays a style that is well-suited for these leagues, as they have placed at least 14 players in various professional leagues.
2. One of the biggest adjustments between high school and college is the physical nature of the game. Older college players are stronger and they know how to use that strength to their advantage. For example, at WLU, if one compares the strength of Viktor, a grad student transfer, with a talented freshman of similar size, it becomes apparent that Viktor will dominate inside. The freshman will just bounce off him. The same could be said of Patrick Robinson III dominating an incoming freshman. He is just too strong for most college guards.
3. The sophisticated college strength and conditioning programs make a huge difference over 4 years. As a result, the body of a 23-year-old senior is so much stronger than that of an incoming 18-year-old. A redshirt player gets to spend much more time in the strength and conditioning program, which pays huge dividends in his junior and senior years. Compare the Dalton Bolon as a freshman and Dalton Bolon as a redshirt senior. Originally a three-point sniper, he got so much stronger and he became a complete player, who can rebound and score inside after contact. He did not arrive as a ballyhooed sure-fire star. He made himself an All-American player. No one remembers or cares that he redshirted his freshman year.

Players on WLU 2021-22 roster who played as true freshmen far exceeds the number of players who did not play:

Malik Mckinney, Seton Hill, started 24 games, averaged 28 minutes per game and 11.2 PPG
Brycer Butler, WLU, played in all 31 games, averaged 21 MPG and 8.5 PPG
Elija Watson, WLU, played in all 23 games with 18 starts, averaged 11.3 MPG and 3.7 PPG
Garrett Denbow, Univ of Charleston, played in 12 games, averaged 11 MPG and 4.5 PPG
Marlon Moore, WLU, played in 23 games, averaged 8.3 MPG and 4.1 PPG
Patrick Robinson, Holy Family, started all 27 games, averaged 37.7 MPG and 18.7 PPG
Ben Sarson, WLU, played in 13 games, averaged 8.5 MPG and 4.0 PPG
Zach Rasile, WLU, played in all 23 games including 1 start, averaged 15 MPG and 6.8 PPG

Excluding this years freshman class, 8 of the 12 players on WLU's roster played as true freshmen with 5 of those 8 playing at WLU.

Not saying all or any of the 3 incoming freshmen will or won't play this coming season, but WLU does not shy away from true freshmen playing...if they are physically and mentally ready to play. Over the years, WLU has had a number of True Freshmen that played and wen't on to have remarkable careers...Among them:

Segar Bonifant (ultimate DII POY and All-American)
Dave Dennis (DII Freshman of the Year and ultimate All-American)
Beau Justice (ultimate All-American)
Brady Arnold
Clay Guillozet
CJ Hester

[Columbuseer]

The Case for Redshirting Talented Basketball Players

Coaches may choose to redshirt freshmen basketball players who are very talented from a basketball skills perspective. At WLU, Dalton Bolon (All-American), Will Yoakum (Freshman All American and All conference), Luke Dyer, and Marlon Moore, Jr. all redshirted their freshman year. Even Trevor Hudgins of NWMSU redshirted his freshman year and he is a 2-time national player of the year. However, that was in the age of the one-year waiting period for transfers.



The success of redshirting depends on whether the athlete has a long-term or short-term perspective for their goals.
Most athletes were superstars at the high school level and were constantly told they were going to set the world on fire at the college level. It is a big adjustment to sit in the street clothes for a year and watch the games, especially when they are very talented and could start at many other schools.

However, if the athlete takes a long-term view, with a goal to maximizing their chances to be able to play after college, redshirting can be very beneficial.

1. If the school plays a style that aligns well with their likely future professional league aspirations, it is in their best interest to remain and accept the redshirt. For example, European leagues prefer players who are complete players and play a team game. WLU plays a style that is well-suited for these leagues, as they have placed at least 14 players in various professional leagues.
2. One of the biggest adjustments between high school and college is the physical nature of the game. Older college players are stronger and they know how to use that strength to their advantage. For example, at WLU, if one compares the strength of Viktor, a grad student transfer, with a talented freshman of similar size, it becomes apparent that Viktor will dominate inside. The freshman will just bounce off him. The same could be said of Patrick Robinson III dominating an incoming freshman. He is just too strong for most college guards.
3. The sophisticated college strength and conditioning programs make a huge difference over 4 years. As a result, the body of a 23-year-old senior is so much stronger than that of an incoming 18-year-old. A redshirt player gets to spend much more time in the strength and conditioning program, which pays huge dividends in his junior and senior years. Compare the Dalton Bolon as a freshman and Dalton Bolon as a redshirt senior. Originally a three-point sniper, he got so much stronger and he became a complete player, who can rebound and score inside after contact. He did not arrive as a ballyhooed sure-fire star. He made himself an All-American player. No one remembers or cares that he redshirted his freshman year.

[Columbuseer]

FYI Newcomer profile - Austin Webb

High School:
two-time All-Ohio Division III All-District and All-Conference shooting guard who battled through injuries during his junior and senior year at South Point (Ohio). A 1,000-point scorer who led the Ohio Valley Conference in scoring (21.1 ppg.) as a junior, he also led the team in rebounding with 7.5 boards per game.

Coach Howlett says: "Austin is a silky smooth southpaw shooter who has great range but can score at all three levels and guard multiple positions. He's extremely easy to play with and with his skill set, he's a great fit for our system."

IMHO Notes:
- Unusually complete player who can score inside and out, dribble, pass, and rebound.
- incredibly smooth shooting mechanics
- good vertical jump
- started out as a post player in 9th grade and changed his game to a guard
- not rattled by older, stronger college players
- gym rat - High school coach Wise:
- high basketball iq - ball does not stick in his hands
- valedictorian of his class
- chose wlu over Fairmont and many MEC schools
- walk on offers from D1
- Needs to get stronger. The weight room upgrade at WLU is already reaping results.
- Just needs time to adjust to speed and talent of the college game

Long-term Assessment
- has not touched his long term potential, as injuries reduced his play in high school
- work ethic reminiscent of Bolon
- Combination of work ethic and intelligence will enable him to reach a high level of play before he leaves wlu

[Columbuseer]

Fyi Dalton Bolon named the 2021 national men's D2 scholar athlete across all sports!
Congratulations Dalton!


https://hilltoppersports.com/news/20...-the-year.aspx

[Columbuseer]

FYI Newcomer profile - Dante Spadafora

High School:IMHO Notes:
- Unusually complete player who can score inside and out, dribble, pass, and rebound.
- Member of Pittsburgh Post Gazette Fab 5, which are top 5 players in Western PA, across all classifications.
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/...s/202104110085

- Four year starter; never lost a game at home. His team became only the 10th team to 3-peat as WPIAL champs in 122 years! Many thought 2A OLSH was best team in WPIAL across all classifications
- Driven to win - "failure is not an option" mindset
- Stated goal is to lead WLU to a national title during his career
- Third team all state as a freshman and soph, 1st team as junior and senior
- High school team played similar style to WLU
- Had D1 offers
- True point guard, who has great court vision.
- Aggressive passer with great touch to fit ball into tight windows, even at long distances
- Great range and accuracy on three point shot; can finish at the rim
- Very high, roadrunner-level motor who plays at 100%, regardless of the score
- Makes good decisions in real time in transition
- Unselfish; could have averaged 30 points a game, but distributed ball to talented teammates
- Tenacious defender; long arms and lightning-quick hand speed creates clean steals, intimidating opposing point guards
- Very fast
- Just needs time to adjust his game and style to speed and talent of the college game
- here are highlights from Springdale game. Dante is #11.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BXmueOsOUmM

Long-term Assessment
- Combination of skill, athletic ability, and drive could make him a special point guard who also maximizes his teammates' potential
- Ceiling extremely high
- Needs time to adjust to college game, just like any freshman